This Saturday, UFC 322 will light up the iconic Madison Square Garden with a fight card stacked from top to bottom. Apart from the main event between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena, the co-main event features Zhang Weili versus Valentina Shevchenko. The highly anticipated clash will be for the UFC women’s flyweight championship, and the excitement surrounding it is immense.

This matchup brings together two of the most complete and versatile fighters in women’s MMA history, each boasting elite skillsets. Shevchenko, a former two-time flyweight champion, has defended her belt multiple times with exceptional technique rooted in Muay Thai and Judo. Weili enters the bout riding a dominant five-fight win streak, moving up divisions to chase two-division championship glory.

Both champions are in top form as Weili recently defeated Tatiana Suarez, while Shevchenko reclaimed gold by beating Manon Fiorot. Ahead of the fight, there has been much anticipation about this fight among fight fans and experts. Among them is top coach Eric Nicksick, who recently talked about how the Kyrgyz fighter can potentially dominate the former strawweight champion. 

“I know it took a lot for [Weili] to cut to 115 lbs. I think she’s gonna be bigger, stronger. But I just feel like Valentina is going to be too much all around skill set wise. I see Valentine utilizing a lot more wrestling in this fight being able to take Weili down and control her,” said Eric Nicksick via Home of Fight. 

Valentina Shevchenko plans to maintain her legendary status at UFC 322

The fight is expected to be razor-close, with Valentina Shevchenko entering as a slight favorite given her physical advantages. Zhang Weili has emphasized her constant progress, claiming her preparation has made her more complete and adaptive than ever before. Weili’s recent dominance in striking and grappling showcases her as a truly dangerous and well-rounded threat to Shevchenko.

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Ahead of the fight, the flyweight champion has talked about her mindset before fighting in one of the biggest fights of her career. “For me, every fight is the best fight, the biggest fight. If you’re not gonna prepare like that, it’s not gonna be any good…She’s a great, amazing fighter with all skills, and I’ll bring everything I have and even more to secure the victory and still be the champion,” said Valentina Shevchenko via MMA Junkie.

Many believe Shevchenko’s five-round experience and tactical mastery could allow her to dictate the pace throughout the championship rounds.  It will be interesting to see who comes out as the winner after the co-main event of UFC 322.

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